Veteran’s Appreciation Month!

To our local heroes across Southeastern CT: We see you, we appreciate you, and this month, Q105 is saluting your service! 🇺🇸❤️

November is Veterans Appreciation Month, and businesses right here in our backyard—from New London to Groton, Waterford, Norwich, and beyond—are rolling out exclusive events, free meals, and major discounts for veterans and military families.

Here are a few highlights happening this month:

Local Events & Ceremonies

New London Elks Veterans Day Dinner Dance

Location: New London Elks Lodge, 81 Washington St, New London, CT

Date & Time: Saturday, November 7, 2026, from 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Details: Pot roast dinner served at 6:00 PM (free for veterans, $20 for non-veterans) followed by music and dancing spanning the decades.

Link: AllEvents New London Listing

12th Annual Vets Rock Expo & Career Fair

Location: Mohegan Sun Casino (Uncas Ballroom & The Shops at Mohegan Sun), 1 Mohegan Sun Blvd, Uncasville, CT 

Date & Time: Saturday, November 14, 2026, from 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Details: Features an opening color guard ceremony, extensive veteran resources, a massive job/career fair, veteran-owned business exhibits, and free Casino 101 lessons.

Link: Mohegan Sun Vets Rock Official Page

Connecticut Veterans Day Ruck, Walk, & 4-Mile Run

Location: Coventry, CT 

Date & Time: Saturday, November 7, 2026, from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Details: Annual commemorative community fitness event featuring a 4-mile run, 3-mile walk, and 3-mile ruck to honor service members.

Link: RunSignup CT Veterans Day Race

New London Custom House Maritime Museum Veteran Recognition

Location: 150 Bank St, New London, CT

Date & Time: Throughout November 2026 (Regular operating hours)

Details: Offers specialized year-round and monthly admission structure honoring service members (10% discount for veterans).

Link: New London Maritime Society

State of Connecticut Veterans Day Observance & Wreaths Across Graves

Location: State Veterans Cemetery, 317 Bow Lane, Middletown, CT

Date & Time: Tuesday, November 11, 2026 (Times vary by local programming)

Details: Official state-led tributes honoring Connecticut’s veterans with memorial placements and guest speakers.

Link: CT Department of Veterans Affairs Events

Retail Sales, Deals, & Restaurant Discounts

Home Depot (Waterford / Norwich locations)

Location: Waterford Shopping Center, Waterford, CT 

Deal: 10% everyday military discount on eligible in-store purchases for veterans and military families.

Link: Home Depot Military Discount

Lowe’s Home Improvement (Waterford location)

Location: 983 Hartford Turnpike, Waterford, CT 

Deal: 10% everyday discount on eligible items for veterans and active-duty spouses upon registration.

Link: Lowe’s Military Discount Program

Kohl’s (Waterford / Norwich locations)

Location: Lisbon Crossing, Lisbon, CT / Waterford, CT

Deal: 30% off qualifying in-store purchases for military personnel, veterans, and families during special Veterans Day windows (Nov 10–11), and 15% off on Mondays year-round.

Link: Kohl’s Military Discount Policy

Target (Waterford / New London area)

Location: 915 Hartford Turnpike, Waterford, CT 

Deal: Annual 10% military appreciation discount deployed across November for veterans and active-duty families.

Link: Target Military Appreciation

Walgreens (Multiple local branches in New London & Groton)

Location: Broad St, New London, CT / Thames St, Groton, CT

Deal: 20% off eligible regular-price items in-store for veterans, military, and their families during Veterans Day week.

Link: Walgreens Veteran Offers

The North Face (Outlets / Partner retailers)

Location: Tanger Outlets, Westbrook, CT

Deal: 10% off entire in-store purchases for veterans and military dependents.

Link: The North Face Military Program

Rack Room Shoes (Lisbon / Waterford area)

Location: Lisbon Landing, Lisbon, CT

Deal: 20% off purchases on Veterans Day and 10% off daily in-store for military families.

Link: Rack Room Shoes Rewards

Apple Store (South Windsor / regional physical spots)

Location: Accessible via regional Connecticut physical retail locations

Deal: 10% year-round veteran and military family discount on hardware and accessories.

Link: Apple Military Program

Under Armour (Tanger Outlets Westbrook)

Location: Westbrook Outlets, Westbrook, CT

Deal: 20% off in-store purchases year-round, scaling up to 40% during special military appreciation windows in November.

Link: Under Armour Factory House Deals

Joann Fabrics (Waterford / Groton area)

Location: Regional physical storefronts nearby

Deal: 15% off every in-store purchase through the Joann Military Rewards program for veterans and family members.

Link: Joann Military Discount

Sleep Number (Local showrooms)

Location: Waterford regional showroom areas

Deal: Additional 20% off most Sleep Number beds and smart bases for military members and veterans.

Link: Sleep Number Military Offer

O’Reilly Auto Parts (New London & Norwich branches)

Location: Colman St, New London, CT 

Deal: 10% off standard in-store retail parts and accessories for veterans with valid ID.

Link: O’Reilly Military Discount

Pep Boys (Nearby service centers)

Location: Regional Connecticut service hubs

Deal: 10% daily in-store discount and 50% off oil changes on select Wednesdays for veterans.

Link: Pep Boys Military Program

Starbucks (Local New London & Groton cafes)

Location: Downtown New London & Groton retail spots

Deal: Free tall hot or iced brewed coffee on November 11 for veterans, active-duty, and military spouses.

Link: Starbucks Community News

Texas Roadhouse (Manchester)

Location: Manchester, CT Location

Deal: Free Veterans Day lunch/dinner meal from a select military menu or a voucher for future use on November 11.

Link: Texas Roadhouse Veterans Page

Outback Steakhouse (Manchester / regional locations)

Location: Regional CT restaurants

Deal: Free Bloomin’ Onion and beverage with an adult entrée purchase on November 11.

Link: Outback Military Menu

Red Robin (Regional CT locations)

Location: Nearby Connecticut dining locations

Deal: Free Red’s Big Tavern Burger with bottomless steak fries for dine-in veterans on November 11.

Link: Red Robin Veterans Day

Chili’s Grill & Bar (Waterford / Groton area)

Location: Waterford shopping districts 

Deal: Free entrée from an exclusive Veterans Day menu on November 11 for dine-in veterans.

Link: Chilis Military Thanks

Applebee’s (Groton / Norwich locations)

Location: Groton, CT 

Deal: Free signature dine-in meal from a special Veterans Day menu on November 11.

Link: Applebee’s Veterans Day

Buffalo Wild Wings (Waterford location)

Location: Waterford, CT 

Deal: Free order of boneless wings and a side of fries for veterans and active-duty military on November 11.

Link: BWW Military Appreciation

Great Clips (Local salons in Waterford & Groton)

Location: Waterford Commons, Waterford, CT 

Deal: Free haircut on November 11 or a card for a free haircut redeemable later in the year.

Link: Great Clips Veterans Day Promotion

Sport Clips Haircuts (Nearby Norwich / Waterford hubs)

Location: Regional shopping centers

Deal: Free haircuts and promotional veteran discounts on November 11.

Link: Sport Clips Help A Hero